Suwannee Democrat Obituaries-Oct. 24, 2012

Live Oak —

Edith Olivia Mae

Vandermark

June 14, 1923

Sept. 24, 2012

Edith Olivia Mae Vandermark, 89, of Lake Silkworth, Pa. and Live Oak, Fla. passed away at the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Sept. 24, 2012.

Born on June 14, 1923 in Norlina, NC, she was the Daughter of the late Gerald Scofield and Elizabeth Davis.

She moved to Hunlock Creek, Pa. as a young girl with her Father who was employed to help with the construction of the UGI Power Plant.

Edith married Leonard Laidacker, had children Patricia and Allen and later married Robert E. Vandermark and had children Robert G. and Kathy. She and Robert retired to Live Oak, Fla. in 1979.

She was preceded in death by her siblings; Pearl McDaniels, Florence Kahler, Edward Scofield, Charles Scofield, Dorris Scofield, and Hessel Scofield; husbands Leonard B. Laidacker and Robert E. Vandermark; and grandson, Steven Dykins.

Surviving are her children; daughters, Patricia Rinehimer and her husband Earl; Kathy Gibson and her husband Frank; sons; Allen Laidacker and his wife Arlene; and Robert G. Vandermark; grandchildren; Denise, Dale, Donna, Lori, Tammy, Kirk, and Frankie; several great grandchildren; great, great grandchildren; and loving family members.

Edith loved animals, dancing, and spending time with friends at the Suwannee River, but most of all she loved her family. As the song goes; If you get the chance to sit it out or dance, Edith definitely danced.

She was a beautiful, good hearted and wonderful person. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Her family and friends held a celebration of her life in Jasper, Fla. and will again be celebrated in Lake Silkworth, Pa.

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., of Live Oak and Branford, Fla. in charge of arrangements.

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Clara “Lee” Wells

July 16, 1923

Sept. 2, 2012

Clara Elizabeth “Lee” Wells, 89, passed away at her home in O’Brien, Fla. on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. Born to Harriette Morgan (McLean) and Benjamin Alexander Lee in Kokomo, Miss. on July 16, 1923, Elizabeth grew up and graduated from high school in Ft. Meade, Fla.. In 1942 she married Robert “Bob” Leonard Wells (d. 1964) from O’Brien, with whom she had 3 children; Harriette Ann, John Robert and Richard Leonard (d. 2000).

After graduating from Massey Business College in Atlanta, Ga. in 1957, Lee and Bob bought a Motorola Service Station (MSS), Television-Electronics Co., dba Atlanta Communications Company, which she continued to run after his unexpected death in 1964. In addition to being a successful business woman and entrepreneur, for many years, Ms. Wells held leadership positions in the following organizations:

Business and Professional Women of Atlanta; Business and Professional Women of Ga.; Women’s Chamber of Commerce; Executive Director of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival (1985-1991); U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Co-founder of Southeastern Motorola Service Stations Assn.; High Watch/ Mentor and trustee of The Prosperos, Los Angeles, CA.

A loving and generous person, Ms. Wells found great satisfaction in helping others achieve success. She loved to garden, to travel, to swim and to dance, especially to Dixieland Jazz. She was a Methodist and a democrat.

In 2005, Ms. Wells moved from Atlanta to her property in O’Brien, Suwannee County, Fla. For many years, she continued her lifelong passion for reading and enjoyed watching the birds in her garden. Always appreciating a good joke, she often entertained listeners by reciting poems and old “sayings”, especially ones “her daddy used to tell”.

Preceded in death by her husband, son (Richard) and youngest brother, Malcolm M. Lee (d.2001), Ms. Wells is survived by her daughter, Harriette Wells (Gefrey) Humphries of O’Brien, son, John R. (Dorothy, d.2010) Wells of Canton, Ga., sister, Margaret A. Ward of O’Brien, brother, Benjamin A. (Lucille) Lee of Freeport, IL and sister-in-law, Lettie Mae Lee of Pensacola, Fla.; 9 grandchildren: Christina (Todd) Ellis of Hanahan, SC, Jason Wells (Jessie) of Glenwood Springs, Co., Melody (Wade) Cashwell of O’Brien/St. Augustine, Fla., Josh (Leslie) Wells of Canton, Ga., Richard (Alice) Wells of Murphy, NC, John “Matt” (Lauren) Wells of Astoria, New York, Courtney Wells of Dawsonville, Ga., Jeremy (Whitney) Humphries and Amanda (Albert) Pettingill, of O’Brien, 10 great grandchildren and 17 nieces and nephews. Finally, “Miss Lee” is survived by the women who loved and cared for her over the past six years, as if she were their own “Mama”: Connie Haaf, Kay Springer and Betty Young of Live Oak, Liz Forsyth, Dot London and Kim Ward of O’Brien, and Kyleigh Hand of Jasper. Our family will be eternally grateful to them all for their dedication and support.

Clara “Lee” Wells will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A memorial celebration of her life was held in Canton, Ga. on Oct. 20 and a local service will be held at her home in O’Brien at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the O’Brien Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 184, O’Brien, Fla., 32071 or to Haven Hospice of North Florida.

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Phillip Deral Horne

Oct. 20, 2012

Phillip Deral Horne, 86, of Lake City, died on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 at Stillwaters Assisted Living Facility, following an extended illness. Deral was born in Jacksonville on Feb. 20, 1926 to Eldis and Gertrude Horne and spent his childhood in Live Oak. He served as a gunner's mate in the United States Navy during World War II. He married Mary Louise Reams on June 8, 1947 and spent his career as a building contractor and real estate developer. After retirement, he served on the Board of Directors for Carolina Community Banks for North Georgia and Western North Carolina, while living in Andrews, NC. He was a devoted father and grandfather and a friend to many. Deral was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Louise, his two children Steve and Patti, his second wife Doris Raxter, and his brother Trice.

Survived by his daughter, Jeannette Runyon (Don) of Lake City. Fla.; grandchildren Brad Powell (Mitzi) of Jacksonville, Fla. and Jana Chanthabane (Vixay) of Charleston, SC; great-grandchildren Ella Chanthabane, Madeline Chanthabane, and Cody Chanthabane; his brother Davis Horne (Shirley) of Callahan, Fla.; and his sister-in-law Louise Horne of Snellville, Ga. He is also survived by his nephews Gary, Craig, and Dan; and his neices Sharon and Donna.

Funeral services for Mr. Horne were conducted Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Gateway- Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel in Lake City, Fla. Visitation with the family was held before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Mr. Hornes's honor to the National Parkinson Foundation.

Arrangements are under the direction of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME,(386)752-1954, 3596 S US Hwy 441, Lake City, Fla. 32025. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com

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John Edward Blue

Oct. 17, 2012

John Edward Blue, 80, of Live Oak, Fla. formerly of Tampa entered into rest Oct. 17, 2012. John was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; grandson, Anthony; and companion, Bessie Jackson. Survivors include his son, John (Gloria); daughters, Sheila (Joseph) DeGennaro, Rae Riley; grandchildren, Brandon, Brett Watts, Jennifer Blue, Jesse DeGennaro, Erika Blue, Brad Nauta; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Adrianna, Alexis; sisters, Jeanne Turner, Ruth (Bill) Irwin; extended family, Sherrie and Dale Clark. A funeral service was held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home.

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Willard Roy Jones

Oct. 22, 2012

W illard Roy Jones, age 79, passed away in Trenton, FL on Oct. 22, 2012.

Mr. Jones was a life long resident of Dixie County and served as a deacon at Rock Sink Baptist Church in Old Town, FL. He was a patrol officer with Florida D. O. T. for 32 years. He was also a farmer and a sawmill operator. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Mr. Jones is survived by his wife Mary Elizabeth Jones of 56 years; his sons Roy (Anne) Jones of Old Town, FL; Gregory (Crystal) Jones of Old Town, FL; his daughter Chaille (Marc) Wilson of Trenton, FL; (4) Grandchildren; (1) Great-Grandchild; his sister Mallonea Thomlinson of Gainesville, FL and several nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24, between 5 and 7 pm at Rick Gooding Funeral Home in Cross City, Fla. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Rock Sink Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Cranford officiating. Interment will follow at Rock Sink Cemetery in Old Town, FL.

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Mattie Sue Greene

Oct. 20, 2012

Mattie Sue Greene, 68, McAlpin, Fla. passed away on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Live Oak & Branford, Fl.

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Claude L. Rodgers

Oct. 17, 2012

Claude L. Rodgers, 83, Lake City, Fl passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Live Oak & Branford, Fla.

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Heather Mae Turner